A/N: Got some sad news. My old lappie finally gave up it's ghost last week. It has been buried with full honours and took half a chapter that I'd just written for this series with it. I have gotten this fic finished, and made a good start on the next, but if my updates become a little erratic for a while I apologise!

Thank you most muchly to artykidd, Shorty0908, The REAL Cheese Monkey, RAPHAELFAN02, and Nikki Ross for the reviews last chapter. I'm really tickled pink you're all enjoying this, and itching to give Tau and Raph a solid boot up their respective rears to encourage them to sort themselves out already myself! LOL

Many thanks to artykidd and CPQ for beta-reading most of this chapter. I recently added the last section with Leo after finishing another 'future' short story and realised it might be an idea for me to give a bit of his POV on everything that's going on right about now. So that section hasn't had any feedback on it so far. I hope I haven't made him too melancholic.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I'm sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don't own that either.

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It was getting close to midnight, and Tau was starting to feel tired. Not that she was surprised, after working a full, hectic day for the Valentino's Bakery. She had been a little worried about losing out on most of a weeks wage when Marcello had told her they would be away visiting family over Christmas. But her boss had then asked her to start at 5am on New Year's Eve, the only day they were going to open the bakery between the Christmas and New Year holidays. She had readily agreed in order to make up for some of her lost earnings.

After a long day of quickly washing up utensils and scrubbing bench-tops so as not to hold up the next batch of loaves, cakes and sweet breads; and having to deliver to over a dozen customers wearing the floppy 'rabbit suit', Tau felt drained. Physically from the rigorous work and trying to walk about swiftly in the oppressive costume, and mentally from having to put up with Enricos' drivel about fast cars and night clubs as he drove her about on her rounds. She'd only listened to him with half an ear, just enough to answer with an "Uh-huh." every now and then; distracted as she was with her own, silent game of 'spot the bike'. It still amazed here how easily a bright red motorbike could seem to vanish amid the mid-day traffic.

She knew she couldn't complain really; after fearing she'd have to wear the uncomfortable costume regularly when she had started the job, this was only the third time she had actually been asked to do so. She had even over-heard her boss turn down one request for a delivery from the 'bunny'; since it wasn't for a 'special occasion'. He'd sent his son, Enrico, to drop off the goods instead.

The bakery had been so busy she had worked back an hour past her usual finish time in order to get the kitchen completely cleaned up. To her astonishment, when Marcello handed over her earnings for the day, he also gave her a $20.00 bonus for working so hard, and a bottle of cheap champagne to wish her a Happy New Year!

Now she was stood, a glass of the bubbly ready in her hand, along with Splinter and the Turtles watching the celebrations in Times Square via a live feed on the bank of monitors. Mike and Raph had wanted to go out, to watch the New Year Ball drop from the near-by rooftops. But Leo had vetoed that idea, citing the drunken crowds posed too much of a risk. Tau was secretly thankful they were staying in the Lair, even as she commiserated with her friends over a couple of beers. At least this way she might get to bed pretty soon after midnight!

She stifled a small yawn as the count-down started on the screens, Mike excitedly adding his voice to the announcement.
"…four, three, two, ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! CHEERS!" he shouted, raising his glass before he tossed back his champagne in one gulp. The whole group joined the toast, Tau still with her glass to her lips as Mike quickly snaked an arm about her waist, pulling her into a side-long hug to plant a loud kiss on her cheek. "Mmmwha!"

"Augh!" grinned Tau, pretending to wipe slobber off her face. Catching sight of Leo frowning slightly out of the corner of her eye, she decided to plant a kiss back on Mikes' cheek, an imitation of the one he had just given her.
"Oh whoa! Thanks babe!" Mike beamed in response. Leo stepped closer.
"I don't think…" he started to object. Tau cut him off by cupping his face in her hands.
"Leo! It's the New Year!" she laughed before pulling his face forward to give him a light kiss on top of his beak.
"Oh! Um…" he flustered, Tau releasing him to walk over to Don.
"It is a long-standing tradition, Leo." explained his purple clad brother with a grin. "We've just never had a girl here…" Don faltered as he received his kiss on the cheek from her. "Heh, thank you!" he blushed.

Splinter was settling himself in his armchair once more as Raph flopped down to sit on the couch, dumping his feet on the coffee table; the knock making a couple of the empty beer cans left there topple onto the floor. Tau made her way over to the Sensei, giving a small bow first.
"Hmm." the rat smiled warmly at the feel of her lips pressed lightly against his fur. "Domo arigato Tausha-san." he thanked her before she turned to his final son.

Raph was sitting with his arms crossed, trying to suppress a scowl. He looked up as she approached and felt a sudden irrational apprehension at the prospect of being kissed by her in full view of his family. There was something about the gleam in her eye that made him think everyone would realise it wasn't the first time they had done such a thing, the heat flushing up his neck at the prospect of being caught-out'.

"Don't ya dare!" he suddenly warned her off with a stern, raised finger. Tau paused to quirk an eyebrow at him in disbelief.
"Ha! Get 'im Tau!" urged Mike. With a bold grin she nodded.
"It's only fair, after all!" she agreed before she pounced towards the couch. Raph managed to grasp her by her hips, fending her off. What he didn't count on was her pivoting on his hold, toppling over above him to smack a kiss just below his bandanna. His eyes widened as he realised she'd just wantonly defied him.
"Arrgh! I'll get you for that, you little minx!" he cried, tossing her on her back along the sofa to kneel over her, tickling her sides mercilessly. He didn't stop until her face started going blue from laughing too much, trapping her arms by her sides as she tried to catch her breath back.

She looked up at him as she recovered, her query regarding why she was being restrained clear on her features. Raph leaned in low over her face to explain roguishly;
"I told ya not to do that… Now, I'm gonna have ta retaliate." Tau managed a faint gasp in exasperation, still struggling for air too much to speak clearly, before he pressed his lips just to one side of hers.

He didn't mean for the touch to linger, but he was distracted momentarily by the memories it evoked. Recollections of how she'd let him push back the boundaries of her 'cheek' to include her jaw, the top of her neck and her ear-lobe during the rare moment of privacy they had managed to glean in the farmhouse bathroom a couple of days ago. Her own explorations of his face had gotten a little bolder as well, thankfully before April had walked in. Tau had seemed to become a little distant with him again after that, but if she was willing to be this cheeky…, maybe he'd been mistaken!

"Alright, that's enough." scolded Leo, snapping Raphs' mind back to the present. The hot-head shot his imperious brother a scowl, not sparing the other two –whispering together, Mike hiding a giggle behind his hand– from his dark look either. Hastily he backed off the girl, to sit back on the couch as he had been originally.

Shakily Tau sat herself up, feeling fairly self-conscious under the looks from his family, she laughed uncertainly.
"Heh, remind me not to kiss you again!" she taunted, eyeing Raph warily.
"That sounds like a New Year resolution." commented Leo; taking a seat to the other side of her now there was space available on the couch. Raph gave a derisive snort.
"What?" asked Tau in umbrage of her close friends' response "D'ya think I'd break it?" she challenged Raph mockingly. He fought it for a moment, but had to surrender to the urge to flash her a dirty grin.
"Ya have to; it's what they're for!" expounded Mike, as he bounced down to sit on the couch arm next to his red-clad brother.

"Hmph! I keep my promises." assured Tau, making a show of crossing her arms and turning her nose in the air.
"Well, in that case then, it's a good thing ya haven't made one then, huh?" winked Mike, undaunted. She opened her mouth to retort, to be interrupted by Leo.
"Mikey..." he drawled in a low, warning tone; deciding not to follow through any further with his reprimand as Mike cried out, Raph grabbing him by his bandanna tails to tug him down for a rough noogie. Tau yelped as she tried to dodge a flailing limb, and Don burst out laughing at the sight. Leo gave a little resigned sigh as he got jostled; it wasn't like they would listen to him over the escalating ruckus anyway.

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A fresh new morning in a fresh New Year, and Splinter intended to start it as he meant it to go on. For that reason he wasn't accepting any excuses for lateness in the dojo or slacking off from any of his students, regardless of how little sleep they had gotten the night before. Thankfully, it wasn't too much of an issue for most of his charges. Even Mike –whom Splinter had ordered to bed at three am after his son had sung along loudly with yet another rendition of 'Auld Lang Syne' on the TVs– had shaken the worst of the grogginess from his face by the time they had finished their warm-up kata.

Overall, Splinter was happy with the way his pupils fell back into their regular training routine. He had enjoyed the trip to the farmhouse, but did appreciate being able to get back to having a large area dedicated to being a dojo.

Given Tausha had worked in lieu of training yesterday, Raphael and Leonardo also missing out on their regular session to keep a watch on her, Splinter made sure all his students worked extra hard to make up for the recent dearth in their training over the holidays. By the end of the session, everyone was more than ready for lunch.

Since it was a public holiday, Tau not working thus giving them all the rest of the day off; a debate over how to spend the afternoon was being contested over the meal. The conversation was interrupted as the elevator doors hissed open, Casey and April strolling into the Lair, her left forearm tucked up under her right as she hugged her boyfriends' arm.

"Hey Ape, Case-man! Happy New Year!" greeted Mike around the fork in his mouth, waving to them from his seat. A chorus of welcomes came from the rest of the group as well as they turned in their chairs to face the new arrivals.
"Hi guys! A Happy New Year to you, too." replied April warmly, resting her head on Caseys' shoulder as they walked up to stand beside the table.
"How was your Boss's party last night, April?" asked Don with a smile. The two humans shared a quick glance before April shrugged nonchalantly.
"Oh, the party was pretty much the same as it is every year." she explained casually, though her smile grew wider with each passing moment. "Well up until midnight anyway…" she beamed, deliberately leaving her sentence hanging.

"Oh, oh, what happened then?" Mike excitedly rose to the bait. April and Casey shared another quick look and a grin.
"This!" she announced with a dramatic flourish of her left hand, the diamond glinting on her finger.
"WOW!" yelled Mike, the first to launch himself from his chair, racing around the table to capture April in a bear hug. Most of the others were only moments behind him, Raph rising from where he he'd been seated in front of his buddy to thump Casey warmly on the shoulder.
"Way to go, Head-case!" he grinned as Casey coloured in the face of all the attention, Leo quickly grabbing his hand to shake it. Tau had been seated in front of April, and had gotten in a quick hug with her friend after Mike, before she'd ducked out of the way of Raph turning to glomp the woman.

Turning his attentions to Casey, Mike teased;
"So, you finally asked her, huh? We were all starting to think you'd chickened out!"
"Hey!" protested Casey, with a mock-scowl. "What d'ya take me for…?"
"'Finally'?" interrupted April. "You mean; you guys knew about this?"
"Uh…, um…" Mike drummed his fingers together in the sudden silence that fell.
"We kept the ring in safe-keeping for some weeks, April-chan." explained Splinter with a warm smile. A crooked grin snuck onto Aprils' face.
"Oh, you guys! I can't believe you all managed to keep this a secret from me!" she exclaimed happily, brushing away a tear to grip Splinter in a firm hug.

As the group continued to congratulate the couple –Mike begging to be told every little detail of how Casey had proposed, right down to the colour of the fireworks overhead– Tau found herself on the outer; stood next to Don. She didn't mind stepping aside to let the others enjoy the moment. Given they were all practically family, she figured she had no right to intercede any further on their celebrations. Besides, despite his multiple assurances he'd be fine once April got engaged, Don seemed quite lost.

He had stood and rushed around the table with his brothers, but had shuffled to a halt just before he'd reached their friends. He didn't appear sad, or happy, or anything; his face blank as he stared through the commotion in front of him. That worried Tau more than any emotion he could have shown would have. He paid her no heed as she stepped over beside him. Gently she gave him a nudge with her shoulder, hoping for any kind of reaction. She didn't get any for an interminable moment.

Finally, he seemed to give a little jolt out of his reverie, tilting his head very slightly to acknowledge her presence, though he didn't look her way. Still worried for him, Tau gave his hand a light squeeze. With a little sigh he met her eyes at last to give her a ghost of a grateful smile.

"Donnie?" Aprils' concerned query got their attention instantly. Don quickly waved Taus' hand away as April approached, to plaster a surprisingly passable grin on his face. "Are you ok?" she persisted. "Please say you're happy for us. I'd hate to think you weren't…"
"Yeah! Yeah, of course I'm happy for you, April!" he assured.
"Oh good!" she beamed in relief, wrapping him in a warm embrace.

After enjoying the cuddle for a moment, Don pulled back a little. Keeping a gentle grip on her arm, he caught Aprils' eye with an earnest look.
"I was just waiting for the chance to…, to say…that I love you. Like a sister!" he added in nervous haste. "And that I know Casey will make you exceedingly happy. Because, if he doesn't…" he fixed the man with a hard stare "…he'll have m…us to answer to!"
"Damn straight!" muttered Raph with an evil grin, Casey shifting uneasily as all the mutants around him nodded in agreement with their kin.

Dons' face softened as he addressed April again.
"I know you know this already. But if you, uh, either of you, ever need me, um, us. We're always here for you. No matter what." he pledged sincerely.
"Oh Donnie, that's so sweet of you!" gushed April, pulling him back into another strong hug.

Waiting until his fiancé had released the turtle, Casey gave him a friendly punch to the shoulder.
"Yeah, thanks, appreciate it. I think!" he joked half-heartedly, wondering if he'd misjudged the benefits of not having a live Father-In-Law to deal with, if he was gonna have to answer to five butt-kicking ninja instead!
"Tch!" April gave her partners' chest a light tap with the back of her hand. "Of course we do! From all of you. And, you know, this doesn't change anything. You can still rely on us to be there for you guys as well." she smiled tenderly at all her friends.

"Oh!" she perked after a moment. "Speaking of which, here's all your mail that's come in over the past week or so." April dug into her handbag and extracted a neat bundle of papers. Pulling off the elastic band, she divvied the mail to its respective recipients.
"Here you go Donnie; your latest issue of 'New Scientist', and these." she handed the majority of the letters and a plastic covered magazine to the genius. There was an envelope for Mike; from the 'Silver Sentry Fan Club', and one for Splinter.

Used to not receiving anything in the mail, Raph, Leo and Tau had started to gather the dishes off the table.
"And this last one is for you, Leo." announced April, holding the letter out toward him.
"It is? I'm not expecting anything…" he eyed the envelope suspiciously before taking it, quirking an eye-ridge in puzzlement as he turned it over in his hands to read the notations on the outside. Curious, Raph leaned over to read the senders' details listed on the back.
"What the…? The 'Japanese Culture Appreciation Society'?" he asked, incredulous.
"Oh man! Just when I thought you couldn't get any more square, bro!" teased Mike.

With a frown for his two brothers, Leo stalked into the kitchen to escape their jeers and to open the letter in some sort of seclusion, in case it contained anything dangerous. Tau was leaving a load of dirty plates on the counter when he entered. Spotting the letter in his hand she shot him a strangely obsequious grin, then quick-stepped it out of the kitchen to leave him in peace.

Tearing it open he quickly scanned the few pages within, glad the girl had left so no-one could see the way his jaw dropped in disbelief. Gathering the note back into its envelope, and his face under some semblance of control, he took a moment to consider his next step.

He figured he should just throw it in the bin; shred it first so no-one could fetch it back out of the trash to read it. But, inexplicably, he couldn't bring himself to tear it up. Deciding he needed more time to contemplate the envelopes' contents, he shoved it roughly into a pocket on his belt.

Raph and Mike picked that moment to enter the kitchen with the last of the table-ware from lunch. Leo made a show of dusting off his hands over the bin as they saw him.
"What d'ya do with your letter?" asked Mike, glancing about for the missive.
"It was nothing." shrugged Leo.
"'Nothing'?" probed Raph sceptically.
"It was just some…promotional rubbish…" Leo covered.
"Uh-huh, how'd they get our address?" queried Mike.
"I, uh, I filled out an opinion poll? Yes, online, a while ago now. I must've included our postal details without thinking. Stupid of me, I know. So just drop it. I'll send them a message to stop any future junk mail. Ok? Happy? Good. That's that then." nodded Leo brusquely, striding out the doorway.

Mike and Raph quirked an eye-ridge at each other;
"Leo? Stupid?" queried Mike.
"Yeah, he is. But, not that stupid!" replied Raph.

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Leo couldn't sleep. He had managed a fitful doze before he'd heard his brothers' door open. It only made the slightest creak, but he was accustomed to listening out for it, even in his slumber. In the past it had been to confirm his sibling had gotten home at some point all those times he'd stormed, snuck or simply walked out of the Lair alone. If he hadn't heard the tell tale creak by three am Leo invariably found himself sitting on the edge of his bed wondering where he would start his search for his itinerant brother.

Now, it was different. There was still the occasional night he listened for his brothers' return. But, more often than not, he was listening for his brother leaving. Tonight, Leo had leapt out of his bed at the warning from his brothers' door, to be met with a glower as Raph irately pointed out he was only heading to the bathroom for nothing more than a glass of water.

Leo had withdrawn to his own room after giving an apology, listening with his ear pressed against his closed door to ensure Raph did indeed return to his hammock after getting his drink. Once he was positive his brother had done just that, Leo had retired to his bed. That had been over an hour ago, and Leo was yet to close his eyes for more than a blink since.

At first he thought he was simply anticipating that Raph might attempt another excursion. But eventually he realised his sight was focused on the corner of the envelope he'd received that day jutting over the side of his desk. He had no idea how long he'd been staring at the slip of paper.

Feeling suddenly restless, Leo sat up to run his hand down his face. Then swiftly stood, leaving his blankets in a rumpled mess, and left his room. His foot hit the top step leading to the floor below, when a thought struck him. Turning back, he went to listen at his brothers' door.

Raph was asleep, snoring like an outboard motor on the fritz. He stopped with a snort for a moment to grumble something Leo couldn't quite make out through the wood between them then started the terrible racket of his breathing again. Surely his brother couldn't fake that sound, Leo not wanting to actually open the door, wary of waking Raph if he did.

There was one other Leo wanted to check on before he made his way downstairs. Though given the way she had been very careful around him since he'd first read his letter after lunch, he doubted she would do anything to risk antagonising him tonight.

Unfortunately Tau usually didn't snore, so he cracked her bedroom door open the slightest amount; just enough for him to peer through and confirm she was there and sound asleep. It was a little difficult for him to distinguish her form in the dimness of her room, but he realised it was definitely her huddled under the blankets, not some ruse. The toes on one of her feet were just poking out from under her covers.

Drawing her door closed he froze as he heard her stir, shifting about and groaning something in which Leo was sure he caught his brothers' name. With a light scowl he waited until she had settled again to move, silently pulling her door to.

Swiftly, he made his way down to the kitchen. He fixed himself a sandwich as he pondered why he kept such a close guard on nocturnal activities within the Lair these days. He knew he was starting to antagonise Raph by questioning his every move after they had retired for the night. But then again, despite Raph always having a seemingly reasonable excuse to be up and about, there had been at least two occasions he'd been stood partway along the ledge leading to the next alcove when Leo had intercepted him.

He hadn't caught Tau wandering about at night yet, but something niggled at Leos' mind that it might just be a matter of time before he did. There was no solid evidence that he'd seen for his hunch. It was just a feeling he got at times when he spied her watching his brother.

The fact she hadn't promised to not kiss Raphael the night before concerned him too. He'd gone over and over what everyone involved had said in his mind. And he was certain she'd never actually made such a guarantee; despite her starting that particular conversation by saying they shouldn't do such a thing again.

Tausha seemed so determined to keep the first promise Leo had demanded of her. She worked hard and assured everyone that she would get on a plane back to Melbourne once she had the fare saved. He was sure he would sleep easier if she hadn't evaded making the resolution he'd suggested last night.

With a sigh he returned to his snack, after putting away the bread, to lean on the counter. A hand either side of the small plate, he stared through it as he continued with his contemplation.

He had started to wonder recently if he was being too harsh in keeping his brother and the girl apart, or if it was worth his while to continue what seemed to be a futile battle. But receiving the letter today had hardened his resolve to continue the fight.

Leo doubted Raph would ever understand, much less forgive him, for his interference. However, if he could spare his kin the heartache Raph was sure to endure if he did take his relationship with Tau to the next level before she left, it would be well worth it; in Leos' opinion. After all, the way things stood now, it was obvious that the hot-head was going to feel hurt as it was, when she did exit from their lives. Perhaps even more than Leo himself had been when...

Shaking his head to halt that train of thought, Leo strode to the kitchen door. Reaching to turn out the light he suddenly remembered he'd left his sandwich on the counter. Quickly he stepped back to scoop up the plate and carry it out into the main chamber. He paused for a moment to allow his eyes to readjust to the darkness, subconsciously peering up through the gloom towards Raphs' room.

His own anguish was amplified enough to drive an ache into his throat at the thought that Raph may soon be forced to suffer as he did. He figured the hot-head just did not realise that such pain wasn't fleeting; couldn't be cured with bed-rest or bandages. It was more like a scar that never fully healed; an old deep-muscle injury that ached with the change in the weather. Eventually it would dull, perhaps could even be ignored for a time, but it always lingered. Always.

Leo counted himself lucky that his own naïve and misdirected feelings had never truly been returned, or possibly even realized, by the one who had given him his scars. He had received more than the gouge to his psyche to remember his harsh lesson by. There was the puckered skin on his side usually hidden by his belt, the chunk missing from his carapace, and a large number of the other nicks and marks adorning his flesh, he was sure.

And that was what kept him leaping out of bed every time he heard Raphs' door open in the night. Despite her alliances, Tausha didn't fight his brother any longer. She didn't spit his shattered honour back in his face. Leo was horrified by the prospect that, even now; Raphael was heading for far worse than he himself had ever had to deal with. It was difficult enough parting on bad terms; Leo couldn't imagine how hard it would be to do it on good…

And if his brother did ever managed to consummate his affair with the girl before she left… Leo gave an involuntary shudder. No, he would rather have his brother loath him than step aside and let him fall to a depth that dark. At least if Raph despised him, it would give him an outlet, a way to work off his frustrations and hurt. And hopefully he wouldn't shut-down, swallow the grief and harden his heart. Hopefully his brothers' anger wouldn't give him the option of facing that dark totally alone.

It suddenly registered with Leo that he was feeling chilled. How long had he been standing there, staring up at the mezzanine? Shaking himself in an attempt to snap out of his melancholy, he noticed the light seeping under the closed laboratory door. His heart plummeted, and with a heavy sigh he made his way over to peek into Donatellos' sanctuary.

Seeing his genius brother sat at the computer, slowly flicking through photos on the monitor, gave Leo a depressing sense of déjà vu. There were more images than there had been last time, almost two years ago now; the night of Casey and Aprils' first date. And Don wasn't crying, not obviously anyway. At least Leo had a good idea of what the problem was this time.

The only sound was the slow 'tack, tack, tack…' of the keyboard as Don scrolled through the slide-show on the screen. Family photos, special occasions, a couple Mikey had taken goofing around, one out of focus… just as before, there was only one common denominator. Every image featured their tall, red-haired friend.

Steeling himself, Leo slipped through the door and closed it behind him with an intentional 'click'. Don started slightly, but didn't bother to look away from his computer, or stop the measured rhythm of his finger on the 'Enter' key.

Leo slipped his plate onto a nearby desk as he approached to stand behind his brother, watching the images in silence for a few minutes. Then he reached out a hand to grip Dons' shoulder in consolation.
"You finally told her, at least." murmured Leo. Don took his time to answer.
"Yeah, I suppose." his voice cracked slightly. A few moments later, Don reached with his spare hand to grip the one holding his shoulder; Leo shifting his to lock their fingers together.

Long moments stole by as the images continued to flicker up on the screen.
"She'll be happy, right?" Don eventually whispered brokenly. Leo wasn't too sure which answer his brother wanted to hear, but the edge of desperation in his brothers' voice made him go with,
"Yeah Donnie. She is happy."

Finally, Don turned his head momentarily to give Leo the briefest of tremulous smiles.
"Thanks bro. I needed to hear that." he murmured with a small nod, quickly fixating back on the monitor.
"Will you be alright?" asked Leo quietly.
"Yeah!" assured Don with a weak, unconvincing laugh.

A minute trickled by.
"I'm sorry Donnie. I should have… If I'd realised in the beginning how you were starting to feel towards…"
"Don't sweat it Leo." assured Don, his voice a little steadier now. "I told you last time this wasn't your fault. You can't protect us from everything, you know. And some things you just can't… fight. All you can do is… pick-up the pieces afterwards." He gave a little sigh and a sniffle.

Leo felt tears of his own threatening. Gently he wrapped his brother in an embrace with his free arm, resting his cheek atop Dons' head.
"You're not alone. You know that, don't you?" he asked softly. Don gripped the hand he held on his shoulder a little tighter.
"Yeah. I do." he smiled slightly, bravely.

They stayed like that for a long while, until Leo finally succumbed to a yawn.
"Go get some rest Leo. I'll be fine." prompted Don, his voice almost back to normal.
"You sure?" queried Leo, straightening his stiff back a little.
"Yes! Go, I'll head to bed soon." Don lightly admonished.
"Well, okay. Only if you're really sure…"

Don silenced him with mock-scowl tossed over his shoulder. Taking the hint, Leo gave his brothers' shoulder a light rub before walking slowly out of the lab, hesitating at the door to glance back for a final check on his kin.

A small, warm smile broke out on Dons' face, even as he slowly shook his head in feigned exasperation as the lab door clicked shut behind his brother. His stomach growled and he swivelled his chair about intent on heading to the kitchen, when he noticed the sandwich left conveniently nearby.
"Tch, Leo!" he complained light-heartedly. "I'm not an infant!" he rolled his eyes, biting into the bread. "Mmpf! Wha' th'…?" Don grimaced as his teeth met an unexpected resistance. Opening the sandwich he eyed the individual slice of processed cheese in disbelief. How on Earth could Leo forget to take off the plastic wrapping…?